Am I going to be in MTC slow classes?

News to my dear ones:

My dearest uncle just sent me word about my missionary application! Are you ready for this? It is not really in processing, it is in "special handling". There you have it, I am slow. I'm just kidding, well maybe. We don't really know what that means, but nothing is wrong so that is good. But judging by what special means pertaining to schools and yellow buses, we can all make a good guess. Okay all jokes aside, I'm just glad that once I decided to stop being frustrated with things, I get happy news that Heavenly Father is in charge of all things and that my application is going forward and soon I will say "So long Suck Town!" and maybe go on to another suck town. Then I can officially stop overusing the word Pergatory or Limbo or, well I won't say that one.


So here is the picture that I put on my missionary application...which may describe why I am in "special handling"

The heart of Pergatory!

For the past month I have been excited to tell people my good news, PAPERS ARE IN! But not after waiting almost a month for a mission call, just to know that it's still in processing (which means it's in the first stage and hasn't even gotten to the comittee who decides where I go). I have never been good at waiting for things, especially when I have done everything I could and now am waiting on human hands...and maybe the Lord.

This whole year, as many of you know, I have refered to this time as being in Pergatory. I can't finish my schooling because I promised Heavenly Father I would give him 18 months. I couldn't go on a mission due to some debts. Well now I have advanced to the heart of Pergatory. I still can't advance on future plans because I am waiting for a mission call that is supposed to be coming from a lost application (at least that is my explanation for why it's been in processing for three weeks...it's lost). I know that seems silly, but if you know me, it makes more sense. If you don't know, I'll tell you. I am a get in, get done person...I'm a finisher. That may explain to you a lot. I don't just want to finish things-have another notch on my belt-I just like doing things and finishing them especially when it's about my future. So when I can't do things and finish them because I am waiting on something that is out of my hands, I get a little antsy and a little grumpy and a little un productive. It makes me laugh when people tell me that I am laid back. I just don't tell them that it's because I am always laid back when lounging around your house and eating your food.

So why is this post here? It's a rant! Should I not be ranting while waiting on the Lord's time or maybe human mistakes? No. Should I erase this post? Probably. But does it make me feel better to get this off my chest?................not really.

As everyone does through life and especially in the crazy early twenties, I am learning and I want you to see that. I don't feel better when I complain about this time in my life and I don't feel better when I am not being patient. As I put this all in perspective to the things that have happened and the things that probably will happen, it's not that big of a deal and I know it. This time is testing my patience and I know it, and I want to do better at waiting (and that may be by doing a lot more lounging and your house). This is just a puddle (as aunty Peg once described, there are storms and puddles in life) actually this is more like a stream in the gutter and I happened to step in...in flip flops with dirt already on my feet so now there is mud...I'll stop. So, it's no big deal, just want to tell you I am learing, and I'll be laying on your couch soon.

From Pole to Pole, Where do you think I'm going?

Okay my dear ones I want to hear it! I want to know where you think I'm going to be called to serve a mission? But if you are going to take the time to post don't write, "spanish speaking" or "Europe" Be specific like, "Antarctica, Penguiniese".

And whoever is the closest geographically will recieve a personal electronic High Five, compliments of Kristy ooo.....

It's called a mission!

So as many of my loyal fans and listners know (those who are my family and have to like me), that I have been trying to go on a mission for sometime now and it's been a roller coster. But this week I hope to have my papers sent in.

But I try not to think to much about it. I never realized how crazy missions are if you don't have a testimony and don't really want to do it. I guess I may be late for this train and everyone else has already realized this especially those that have already served. I honestly just don't think about. At times during the day I stop and remember that I am closer than I ever have been in the last year and a half to going on a mission and I get so excited. But then the ugly monster rears it's head and asks why I'm so excited to go knock on doors and deal with skitzos for companions (and yes I am conviced that I am going to have at least one companion with a mental disease).

What I am really saying is that these past few months have been so exciting finding a testimony bigger than myself, and realizing why I am doing this, and excited about it. Of course I'm going to walk on the plane like a dear in the head lights in robotic fashion, but sooner or later I'll come out of the "just get on the plane coma" and it will be an amazing experience, because I'll be taking steps to becoming the person that I hope to be someday, and yes that is like you mom and dad. Maybe someday I'll rival mom's unconditional love and worry for her children and even those she barely knows, and maybe some day I'll rival dad's steadfastness in the gospel. Though I'm not there today, serving my Heavenly Father faithfully (maybe painfully) will take me that much closer.

To all I bid farewell until the next time I write on my blog (which may be never, or three years from now, and hopefully I'll have pictres, Okay actually it will be when I get my call........)

Look I'm writing in my blog again!!!!

So just for the record I should state a couple of things not that they are terribley interesting but whatever.

1. I have finally graduated from Oregon State University with a Bachelor's of Art and a major in Spanish.
2. I have finally received my diploma, and it is sitting on my desk.
3. I have my mission papers pretty much ready to be submitted but I have to pay off my Oregon State Student account first and then I can submit my papers and that would be awesome when that day comes.
4. I am living with Grandma Ray in San Francisco and doing pretty well now that I have two friends here. I mean I have family but, that it's diferent when people don't have to like you because of blood relation.

Well that is pretty much the end and that was pretty lame! Well, my computer is not working right now, but when have access to a picture of my beautiful diploma I will post that too. I hope everyone is doing sooo soooo well!

the tale of the not so good shoes

I´ll start off this story by telling you how for my birthday, my generous sister Linda bought me some flip flops that are so cute. So I wanted to wear them as soon as possible and the occasion arose when we all were to venture to the GEM SHOW, OOOO!
Well before we go I show my mom my cool new flip flops that Linda bought for me. Mom tells me how cute they are but then warns me to bring an extra pair of shoes and put them in the car just if the rare occurrence happens that they break. I tell oh, "oh mom, flip flops never break!"
We get to the GEM SHOW, OOOO! and drop off mom and Grandma at the entrance and then we proceeded to find a parking space for the car. Linda finds a parking spot and we start walking to the entrance. Just in these few steps I start to have a hard time keeping my shoes on my feet as I lift my foot up which is funny to me because they fit fine. As I continue to walk my flip flops start to compress like my weight is too much for them with indentions from my feet just after ten steps that most people make in their shoes after ten wears!!!! Suddenly as I lift my foot the shoes falls and catches on the ground pulling the flip flop apart and ripping the back end off from the shoe, yeah and this is what it looked like.
and this....



well we found a payless after searching through the mall for a while....shoe less might I add, with every child looking at me like I was crazy, or with envy! I bought this one pair that I have been wanting to buy, and it was an excellent choice since I spent the rest of the day in very very comfortable non breakable shoes! but next time I´ll listen to my mommy´s very wise counsel!

It´s nice to be back!

So I have picked up my life in a new location once again. I moved down to San Francisco in with Grandma, but most of you who are reading this are well aware that I am here and this is not anything new to you. I guess I just wanted to post this to clear up confusion on what my plans are, as best I can because they are confusing even to me.

So I am looking for a job here which I have a lot of leads and I´m very excited about. I have one term left to finish at Oregon State then I will have my long awaited bachelors degree in Spanish. I´m planning on going back to Oregon for fall term of this year, and then returning once again to Grandma´s so I can work on going on a mission since the stake where the sunset ward is has funds to help me on my mission, therefore I will be leaving from Grandma´s ward (my new ward) to the mission field. I have some debts to pay off that are school related but that is why I´m here living with grandma because she gives me free living accommodations, okay and because I miss her.

After a mission I plan on gaining residency here in California so I can attend grad school at a lower cost, and I´m not sure which one I want to go to, but I do want to certify for teaching down here because then I can teach almost anywhere. Grad school for the teaching program is only one short year and then I can finally start my future career YIPEEE!

Well, I hope you all are doing great and having so much fun in the sun if there is any where you are. I miss you all, unless you are here in California then I´ll see you soon!